Few fans hurried to get their hands on Newcastle United's new away strip this morning - hours after United's dismal defeat at Liverpool.

A handful of fans queued outside St James' Park to ensure they were the first to get their hands on the new strip, on sale from 9am.

First to get the blue and black third strip was Stephen Adcock, 17, with his younger brother Ben, 14. They left home in Dinnington, near Ponteland, at 7.30am, to make sure they didn't miss out.

Stephen, 17, said: "I thought there would be lots more people. We were going to camp out as we thought it would be really busy. I've got every strip since 1997 but I do think the prices are getting a bit high."

Also waiting was Martin Ferguson, another die-hard Toon fan. "I always come and get the strips, the all blue one is my favourite," said the 51-year-old.

"But they have had two new strips in four months and it's a lot of money for some people to have to spend. I don't mind though, I like it."

Fans also got the chance to meet some of the players at the ground between 5 and 6pm today.